H. R. 1627 

One Hundred Twelfth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and twelve 

An Act 

To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services 

to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the 

water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune, to improve the provision of housing 

assistance to veterans and their families, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Honoring 

America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 

of 2012’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 

Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects. 

TITLE I—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 

Sec. 101. Short title. 

Sec. 102. Hospital care and medical services for veterans stationed at Camp 

Lejeune, North Carolina. 

Sec. 103. Authority to waive collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans. 

Sec. 104. Temporary expansion of payments and allowances for beneficiary travel 

in connection with veterans receiving care from Vet Centers. 

Sec. 105. Contracts and agreements for nursing home care. 

Sec. 106. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents 

and other safety incidents. 

Sec. 107. Rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury. 

Sec. 108. Teleconsultation and telemedicine. 

Sec. 109. Use of service dogs on property of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 110. Recognition of rural health resource centers in Office of Rural Health. 

Sec. 111. Improvements for recovery and collection of amounts for Department of 

Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund. 

Sec. 112. Extension of authority for copayments. 

Sec. 113. Extension of authority for recovery of cost of certain care and services. 

TITLE II—HOUSING MATTERS 

Sec. 201. Short title. 

Sec. 202. Temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty with ambulating. 

Sec. 203. Expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for veterans with vision impairment. 

Sec. 204. Revised limitations on assistance furnished for acquisition and adaptation 

of housing for disabled veterans. 

Sec. 205. Improvements to assistance for disabled veterans residing in housing 

owned by a family member. 

Sec. 206. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving 

spouses of certain totally disabled veterans. 
H. R. 1627—2 

Sec. 207. Occupancy of property by dependent child of veteran for purposes of meeting occupancy requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs housing 

loans. 

Sec. 208. Making permanent project for guaranteeing of adjustable rate mortgages. 

Sec. 209. Making permanent project for insuring hybrid adjustable rate mortgages. 

Sec. 210. Waiver of loan fee for individuals with disability ratings issued during 

pre-discharge programs. Sec. 211. Modification of authorities for enhanced-use leases of real property. 

TITLE III—HOMELESS MATTERS 

Sec. 301. Enhancement of comprehensive service programs. 

Sec. 302. Modification of authority for provision of treatment and rehabilitation to 

certain veterans to include provision of treatment and rehabilitation to 

homeless veterans who are not seriously mentally ill. Sec. 303. Modification of grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. 

Sec. 304. Collaboration in provision of case management services to homeless veterans in supported housing program. Sec. 305. Extensions of previously fully funded authorities affecting homeless veterans. 

TITLE IV—EDUCATION MATTERS 

Sec. 401. Aggregate amount of educational assistance available to individuals who 

receive both survivors’ and dependents’ educational assistance and other 

veterans and related educational assistance. 

Sec. 402. Annual reports on Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. 

TITLE V—BENEFITS MATTERS 

Sec. 501. Automatic waiver of agency of original jurisdiction review of new evidence. 

Sec. 502. Authority for certain persons to sign claims filed with Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of claimants. 

Sec. 503. Improvement of process for filing jointly for social security and dependency and indemnity compensation. Sec. 504. Authorization of use of electronic communication to provide notice to 

claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 505. Duty to assist claimants in obtaining private records. 

Sec. 506. Authority for retroactive effective date for awards of disability compensation in connection with applications that are fully-developed at submittal. 

Sec. 507. Modification of month of death benefit for surviving spouses of veterans 

who die while entitled to compensation or pension. 

Sec. 508. Increase in rate of pension for disabled veterans married to one another 

and both of whom require regular aid and attendance. 

Sec. 509. Exclusion of certain reimbursements of expenses from determination of 

annual income with respect to pensions for veterans and surviving 

spouses and children of veterans. 

TITLE VI—MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS 

Sec. 601. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former members of 

the Armed Forces. 

Sec. 602. Codification of prohibition against reservation of gravesites at Arlington 

National Cemetery. 

Sec. 603. Expansion of eligibility for presidential memorial certificates to persons 

who died in the active military, naval, or air service. 

Sec. 604. Requirements for the placement of monuments in Arlington National 

Cemetery. 

TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 

Sec. 701. Assistance to veterans affected by natural disasters. 

Sec. 702. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law. 

Sec. 703. Requirement for plan for regular assessment of employees of Veterans 

Benefits Administration who handle processing of claims for compensation and pension. 

Sec. 704. Modification of provision relating to reimbursement rate for ambulance 

services. 

Sec. 705. Change in collection and verification of veteran income. 

Sec. 706. Department of Veterans Affairs enforcement penalties for misrepresentation of a business concern as a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans or as a small business concern owned and controlled 

by service-disabled veterans. 
H. R. 1627—3 

Sec. 707. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department. 

Sec. 708. Publication of data on employment of certain veterans by Federal contractors. 

Sec. 709. VetStar Award Program. 

Sec. 710. Extended period of protections for members of uniformed services relating 

to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and eviction. 

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 

an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 

to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall 

be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 

38, United States Code. 

SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 

with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined 

by reference to the latest statement titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of 

PAYGO Legislation’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the 

Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 

to the vote on passage. 

TITLE I—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Janey Ensminger Act’’. 

SEC. 102. HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS 

STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA. 

(a) HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 1710(e) is 

amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 

‘‘(F) Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran who served on active 

duty in the Armed Forces at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for 

not fewer than 30 days during the period beginning on January 

1, 1957, and ending on December 31, 1987, is eligible for hospital 

care and medical services under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any of 

the following illnesses or conditions, notwithstanding that there 

is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illnesses or 

conditions are attributable to such service: 

‘‘(i) Esophageal cancer. 

‘‘(ii) Lung cancer. 

‘‘(iii) Breast cancer. 

‘‘(iv) Bladder cancer. 

‘‘(v) Kidney cancer. 

‘‘(vi) Leukemia. 

‘‘(vii) Multiple myeloma. 

‘‘(viii) Myleodysplasic syndromes. 

‘‘(ix) Renal toxicity. 

‘‘(x) Hepatic steatosis. 

‘‘(xi) Female infertility. 

‘‘(xii) Miscarriage. 

‘‘(xiii) Scleroderma. 

‘‘(xiv) Neurobehavioral effects. 

‘‘(xv) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.’’. 

(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (2)(B) of such section is 

amended by striking ‘‘or (E)’’ and inserting ‘‘(E), or (F)’’. 
H. R. 1627—4 

(b) FAMILY MEMBERS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 

by adding at the end the following new section: 

‘‘§ 1787. Health care of family members of veterans stationed 

at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), a family member 

of a veteran described in subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) 

of this title who resided at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for 

not fewer than 30 days during the period described in such subparagraph or who was in utero during such period while the mother 

of such family member resided at such location shall be eligible 

for hospital care and medical services furnished by the Secretary 

for any of the illnesses or conditions described in such subparagraph, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence 

to conclude that such illnesses or conditions are attributable to 

such residence. 

‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) The Secretary may only furnish hospital 

care and medical services under subsection (a) to the extent and 

in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts for such 

purpose. 

‘‘(2) Hospital care and medical services may not be furnished 

under subsection (a) for an illness or condition of a family member 

that is found, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Under 

Secretary for Health, to have resulted from a cause other than 

the residence of the family member described in that subsection. 

‘‘(3) The Secretary may provide reimbursement for hospital 

care or medical services provided to a family member under this 

section only after the family member or the provider of such care 

or services has exhausted without success all claims and remedies 

reasonably available to the family member or provider against 

a third party (as defined in section 1725(f) of this title) for payment 

of such care or services, including with respect to health-plan contracts (as defined in such section).’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 1786 the following new item: 

‘‘1787. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune, North 

Carolina.’’. 

(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31 of each of 

2013, 2014, and 2015, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 

and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the care and services provided under 

sections 1710(e)(1)(F) and 1787 of title 38, United States Code 

(as added by subsections (a) and (b)(1), respectively). 

(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall set 

forth the following: 

(A) The number of veterans and family members provided hospital care and medical services under the provisions of law specified in paragraph (1) during the period 

beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on the date 

of such report. 

(B) The illnesses, conditions, and disabilities for which 

care and services have been provided such veterans and 
H. R. 1627—5 

family members under such provisions of law during that 

period. 

(C) The number of veterans and family members who 

applied for care and services under such provisions of law 

during that period but were denied, including information 

on the reasons for such denials. 

(D) The number of veterans and family members who 

applied for care and services under such provisions of law 

and are awaiting a decision from the Secretary on eligibility 

for such care and services as of the date of such report. 

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of this section and the 

amendments made by this section shall take effect on the 

date of the enactment of this Act. 

(2) APPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) 

of such title, as added by subsection (a), and section 1787 

of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b)(1), 

shall apply with respect to hospital care and medical services 

provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 103. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 

TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE VISITS OF VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended 

by inserting after section 1722A the following new section: 

‘‘§ 1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments 

for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans 

‘‘The Secretary may waive the imposition or collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans under the 

laws administered by the Secretary.’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 

to section 1722A the following new item: 

‘‘1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans.’’. 

SEC. 104. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES 

FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning one year after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a three-year initiative to assess the feasibility and advisability of paying under section 111(a) of title 38, United States 

Code, the actual necessary expenses of travel or allowances for 

travel from a residence located in an area that is designated by 

the Secretary as highly rural to the nearest Vet Center and from 

such Vet Center to such residence. 

(b) REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of the completion of the initiative, the Secretary shall submit 

to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with 

respect to the initiative required by subsection (a). 

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 

include the following: 

(A) A description of the individuals who benefitted 

from payment under the initiative. 
H. R. 1627—6 

(B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary 

in paying expenses or allowances under the initiative. 

(C) A description of any impediments encountered by 

individuals in receiving such payments. 

(D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability 

of paying such expenses or allowances. 

(E) An assessment of any fraudulent receipt of payment 

under the initiative and the recommendations of the Secretary for legislative or administrative action to reduce 

such fraud. 

(F) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate with 

respect to the payment of expenses or allowances as 

described in subsection (a). 

(c) VET CENTER DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘Vet 

Center’’ means a center for readjustment counseling and related 

mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 

38, United States Code. 

SEC. 105. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS FOR NURSING HOME CARE. 

(a) CONTRACTS.—Section 1745(a) is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Secretary shall pay 

each State home for nursing home care at the rate determined 

under paragraph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary shall enter 

into a contract (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) of this 

title) with each State home for payment by the Secretary for 

nursing home care provided in the home’’; and 

(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 

new paragraph (2): 

‘‘(2) Payment under each contract (or agreement) between the 

Secretary and a State home under paragraph (1) shall be based 

on a methodology, developed by the Secretary in consultation with 

the State home, to adequately reimburse the State home for the 

care provided by the State home under the contract (or agreement).’’. 

(b) AGREEMENTS.—Section 1720(c)(1)(A) is amended— 

(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 

(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 

inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new clause: 

‘‘(iii) a provider of services eligible to enter into a contract 

pursuant to section 1745(a) of this title that is not otherwise 

described in clause (i) or (ii).’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 

shall apply to care provided on or after the date that is 180 

days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(2) MAINTENANCE OF PRIOR METHODOLOGY OF REIMBURSE- MENT FOR CERTAIN STATE HOMES.—In the case of a State home 

that provided nursing home care on the day before the date 

of the enactment of this Act for which the State home was 

eligible for pay under section 1745(a)(1) of title 38, United 

States Code, at the request of any State home, the Secretary 

shall offer to enter into a contract (or agreement described 

in such section) with such State home under such section, 

as amended by subsection (a), for payment for nursing home 

care provided by such State home under such section that 
H. R. 1627—7 

reflects the overall methodology of reimbursement for such 

care that was in effect for such State home on the day before 

the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 106. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON REPORTING AND TRACKING 

SEXUAL ASSAULT INCIDENTS AND OTHER SAFETY 

INCIDENTS. 

(a) POLICY.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by adding 

at the end the following: 

‘‘§ 1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking 

sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents 

‘‘(a) POLICY REQUIRED.—(1) Not later than September 30, 2012, 

the Secretary shall develop and implement a centralized and comprehensive policy on the reporting and tracking of sexual assault 

incidents and other safety incidents that occur at each medical 

facility of the Department, including— 

‘‘(A) suspected, alleged, attempted, or confirmed cases of 

sexual assault, regardless of whether such assaults lead to 

prosecution or conviction; 

‘‘(B) criminal and purposefully unsafe acts; 

‘‘(C) alcohol or substance abuse related acts (including by 

employees of the Department); and 

‘‘(D) any kind of event involving alleged or suspected abuse 

of a patient. 

‘‘(2) In developing and implementing a policy under paragraph 

(1), the Secretary shall consider the effects of such policy on— 

‘‘(A) the use by veterans of mental health care and substance abuse treatments; and 

‘‘(B) the ability of the Department to refer veterans to 

such care or treatment. 

‘‘(b) SCOPE.—The policy required by subsection (a) shall cover 

each of the following: 

‘‘(1) For purposes of reporting and tracking sexual assault 

incidents and other safety incidents, definitions of the terms— 

‘‘(A) ‘safety incident’; 

‘‘(B) ‘sexual assault’; and 

‘‘(C) ‘sexual assault incident’. 

‘‘(2)(A) The development and use of specific risk-assessment 

tools to examine any risks related to sexual assault that a 

veteran may pose while being treated at a medical facility 

of the Department, including clear and consistent guidance 

on the collection of information related to— 

‘‘(i) the legal history of the veteran; and 

‘‘(ii) the medical record of the veteran. 

‘‘(B) In developing and using tools under subparagraph 

(A), the Secretary shall consider the effects of using such tools 

on the use by veterans of health care furnished by the Department. 

‘‘(3) The mandatory training of employees of the Department on security issues, including awareness, preparedness, 

precautions, and police assistance. 

‘‘(4) The mandatory implementation, use, and regular 

testing of appropriate physical security precautions and equipment, including surveillance camera systems, computer-based 

panic alarm systems, stationary panic alarms, and electronic 

portable personal panic alarms. 
H. R. 1627—8 

‘‘(5) Clear, consistent, and comprehensive criteria and guidance with respect to an employee of the Department communicating and reporting sexual assault incidents and other safety 

incidents to— 

‘‘(A) supervisory personnel of the employee at— 

‘‘(i) a medical facility of the Department; 

‘‘(ii) an office of a Veterans Integrated Service Network; and 

‘‘(iii) the central office of the Veterans Health 

Administration; and 

‘‘(B) a law enforcement official of the Department. 

‘‘(6) Clear and consistent criteria and guidelines with 

respect to an employee of the Department referring and 

reporting to the Office of Inspector General of the Department 

sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents that meet 

the regulatory criminal threshold prescribed under sections 

901 and 902 of this title. 

‘‘(7) An accountable oversight system within the Veterans 

Health Administration that includes— 

‘‘(A) systematic information sharing of reported sexual 

assault incidents and other safety incidents among officials 

of the Administration who have programmatic responsibility; and 

‘‘(B) a centralized reporting, tracking, and monitoring 

system for such incidents. 

‘‘(8) Consistent procedures and systems for law enforcement 

officials of the Department with respect to investigating, 

tracking, and closing reported sexual assault incidents and 

other safety incidents. 

‘‘(9) Clear and consistent guidance for the clinical management of the treatment of sexual assaults that are reported 

more than 72 hours after the assault. 

‘‘(c) UPDATES TO POLICY.—The Secretary shall review and revise 

the policy required by subsection (a) on a periodic basis as the 

Secretary considers appropriate and in accordance with best practices. 

‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) Not later than 60 days after the 

date on which the Secretary develops the policy required by subsection (a) and not later than October 1 of each year thereafter, 

the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 

of Representatives a report on the implementation of the policy. 

‘‘(2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall include— 

‘‘(A) the number and type of sexual assault incidents and 

other safety incidents reported by each medical facility of the 

Department; 

‘‘(B) a detailed description of the implementation of the 

policy required by subsection (a), including any revisions made 

to such policy from the previous year; and 

‘‘(C) the effectiveness of such policy on improving the safety 

and security of the medical facilities of the Department, 

including the performance measures used to evaluate such 

effectiveness.’’. 
H. R. 1627—9 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating 

to section 1708 the following new item: 

‘‘1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents and 

other safety incidents.’’. 

(c) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 

and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the development of the policy required by section 

1709 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 

SEC. 107. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. 

(a) REHABILITATION PLANS AND SERVICES.—Section 1710C is 

amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon 

the following: ‘‘with the goal of maximizing the individual’s 

independence’’; 

(2) in subsection (b)— 

(A) in paragraph (1)— 

(i) by inserting ‘‘(and sustaining improvement in)’’ 

after ‘‘improving’’; 

(ii) by inserting ‘‘behavioral,’’ after ‘‘cognitive,’’; 

(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘rehabilitative services and’’ before ‘‘rehabilitative components’’; and 

(C) in paragraph (3)— 

(i) by striking ‘‘treatments’’ the first place it 

appears and inserting ‘‘services’’; and 

(ii) by striking ‘‘treatments and’’ the second place 

it appears; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(h) REHABILITATIVE SERVICES DEFINED.—For purposes of this 

section, and sections 1710D and 1710E of this title, the term 

‘rehabilitative services’ includes— 

‘‘(1) rehabilitative services, as defined in section 1701 of 

this title; 

‘‘(2) treatment and services (which may be of ongoing duration) to sustain, and prevent loss of, functional gains that 

have been achieved; and 

‘‘(3) any other rehabilitative services or supports that may 

contribute to maximizing an individual’s independence.’’. 

(b) REHABILITATION SERVICES IN COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR

LONG-TERM REHABILITATION.—Section 1710D(a) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘and rehabilitative services (as defined 

in section 1710C of this title)’’ after ‘‘long-term care’’; and 

(2) by striking ‘‘treatment’’. 

(c) REHABILITATION SERVICES IN AUTHORITY FOR COOPERATIVE

AGREEMENTS FOR USE OF NON-DEPARTMENT FACILITIES FOR

REHABILITATION.—Section 1710E(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘, 

including rehabilitative services (as defined in section 1710C of 

this title),’’ after ‘‘medical services’’. 

(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 1710C(c)(2)(S) of title 38, 

United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘opthamologist’’ and 

inserting ‘‘ophthalmologist’’. 
H. R. 1627—10 

SEC. 108. TELECONSULTATION AND TELEMEDICINE. 

(a) TELECONSULTATION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended 

by section 106(a), is further amended by adding at the end 

the following new section: 

‘‘§ 1709A. Teleconsultation 

‘‘(a) TELECONSULTATION.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out an 

initiative of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental 

health and traumatic brain injury assessments in facilities of the 

Department that are not otherwise able to provide such assessments 

without contracting with third-party providers or reimbursing providers through a fee basis system. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate 

professional societies, promulgate technical and clinical care standards for the use of teleconsultation services within facilities of 

the Department. 

‘‘(3) In carrying out an initiative under paragraph (1), the 

Secretary shall ensure that facilities of the Department are able 

to provide a mental health or traumatic brain injury assessment 

to a veteran through contracting with a third-party provider or 

reimbursing a provider through a fee basis system when— 

‘‘(A) such facilities are not able to provide such assessment 

to the veteran without— 

‘‘(i) such contracting or reimbursement; or 

‘‘(ii) teleconsultation; and 

‘‘(B) providing such assessment with such contracting or 

reimbursement is more clinically appropriate for the veteran 

than providing such assessment with teleconsultation. 

‘‘(b) TELECONSULTATION DEFINED.—In this section, the term 

‘teleconsultation’ means the use by a health care specialist of telecommunications to assist another health care provider in rendering 

a diagnosis or treatment.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 1709, as added by section 106(b), the 

following new item: 

‘‘1709A. Teleconsultation.’’. 

(b) TRAINING IN TELEMEDICINE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 

to the extent feasible, offer medical residents opportunities 

in training in telemedicine for medical residency programs. 

The Secretary shall consult with the Accreditation Council for 

Graduate Medical Education and with universities with which 

facilities of the Department have a major affiliation to determine the feasibility and advisability of making telehealth a 

mandatory component of medical residency programs. 

(2) TELEMEDICINE DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 

‘‘telemedicine’’ means the use by a health care provider of 

telecommunications to assist in the diagnosis or treatment of 

a patient’s medical condition. 

SEC. 109. USE OF SERVICE DOGS ON PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT 

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

Section 901 is amended by adding at the end the following 

new subsection: 
H. R. 1627—11 

‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may not prohibit the use of a covered 

service dog in any facility or on any property of the Department 

or in any facility or on any property that receives funding from 

the Secretary. 

‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered service dog 

is a service dog that has been trained by an entity that is accredited 

by an appropriate accrediting body that evaluates and accredits 

organizations which train guide or service dogs.’’. 

SEC. 110. RECOGNITION OF RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS IN 

OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH. 

Section 7308 is amended by adding at the end the following 

new subsection: 

‘‘(d) RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS.—(1) There are, in 

the Office, veterans rural health resource centers that serve as 

satellite offices for the Office. 

‘‘(2) The veterans rural health resource centers have purposes 

as follows: 

‘‘(A) To improve the understanding of the Office of the 

challenges faced by veterans living in rural areas. 

‘‘(B) To identify disparities in the availability of health 

care to veterans living in rural areas. 

‘‘(C) To formulate practices or programs to enhance the 

delivery of health care to veterans living in rural areas. 

‘‘(D) To develop special practices and products for the benefit of veterans living in rural areas and for implementation 

of such practices and products in the Department systemwide.’’. 

SEC. 111. IMPROVEMENTS FOR RECOVERY AND COLLECTION OF 

AMOUNTS FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CARE COLLECTIONS FUND. 

(a) DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN FOR

RECOVERY AND COLLECTION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall develop and implement a plan to ensure the recovery 

and collection of amounts under the provisions of law described 

in section 1729A(b) of title 38, United States Code, for deposit 

in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 

Fund. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 

include the following: 

(A) An effective process to identify billable fee claims. 

(B) Effective and practicable policies and procedures 

that ensure recovery and collection of amounts described 

in section 1729A(b) of such title. 

(C) The training of employees of the Department, on 

or before September 30, 2013, who are responsible for 

the recovery or collection of such amounts to enable such 

employees to comply with the process required by subparagraph (A) and the policies and procedures required by 

subparagraph (B). 

(D) Fee revenue goals for the Department. 

(E) An effective monitoring system to ensure achievement of goals described in subparagraph (D) and compliance with the policies and procedures described in subparagraph (B). 
H. R. 1627—12 

(b) MONITORING OF THIRD-PARTY COLLECTIONS.—The Secretary 

shall monitor the recovery and collection of amounts from third 

parties (as defined in section 1729(i) of such title) for deposit in 

such fund. 

SEC. 112. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COPAYMENTS. 

Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 

2012’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2013’’. 

SEC. 113. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY OF COST OF 

CERTAIN CARE AND SERVICES. 

Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2012’’ 

and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2013’’. 

TITLE II—HOUSING MATTERS 

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Andrew Connolly Veterans 

Housing Act’’. 

SEC. 202. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY 

ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 

WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH AMBULATING. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 2101(a) is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(2)(A) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran— 

‘‘(i) is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this 

title for a permanent and total service-connected disability that 

meets any of the criteria described in subparagraph (B); or 

‘‘(ii) served in the Armed Forces on or after September 

11, 2001, and is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 

of this title for a permanent service-connected disability that 

meets the criterion described in subparagraph (C). 

‘‘(B) The criteria described in this subparagraph are as follows: 

‘‘(i) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of 

both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without 

the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. 

‘‘(ii) The disability is due to— 

‘‘(I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, 

plus (ii) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity. 

‘‘(iii) The disability is due to the loss or loss of use of 

one lower extremity together with— 

‘‘(I) residuals of organic disease or injury; or 

‘‘(II) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, 

which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to 

preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, 

or a wheelchair. 

‘‘(iv) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of 

both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms 

at or above the elbows. 

‘‘(v) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary). 

‘‘(C) The criterion described in this subparagraph is that the 

disability— 

‘‘(i) was incurred on or after September 11, 2001; and 
H. R. 1627—13 

‘‘(ii) is due to the loss or loss of use of one or more lower 

extremities which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude ambulating without the aid of braces, 

crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 

(c) SUNSET.—Subsection (a) of section 2101 is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘to paragraph (3)’’ and 

inserting ‘‘to paragraphs (3) and (4)’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(4) The Secretary’s authority to furnish assistance under paragraph (1) to a disabled veteran described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) 

shall apply only with respect to applications for such assistance 

approved by the Secretary on or before September 30, 2013.’’. 

SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED 

HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS WITH VISION 

IMPAIRMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 2101(b) is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran 

is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a 

service-connected disability that meets any of the following criteria: 

‘‘(A) The disability is due to blindness in both eyes, having 

central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with 

the use of a standard correcting lens. For the purposes of 

this subparagraph, an eye with a limitation in the fields of 

vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends 

an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as 

having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. 

‘‘(B) A permanent and total disability that includes the 

anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. 

‘‘(C) A permanent and total disability that is due to a 

severe burn injury (as so determined).’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 

SEC. 204. REVISED LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE FURNISHED FOR 

ACQUISITION AND ADAPTATION OF HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (d) of section 2102 is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an 

individual under section 2101(a) of this title shall be limited to 

$63,780. 

‘‘(2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an individual under section 2101(b) of this title shall be limited to $12,756. 

‘‘(3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of assistance under this chapter.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 

(a) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 

of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to assistance provided under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), and 2102A of title 

38, United States Code, after such date. 

(c) MAINTENANCE OF HIGHER RATES.—The amendment made 

by subsection (a) shall not be construed to decrease the aggregate 

amount of assistance available to an individual under the sections 
H. R. 1627—14 

described in subsection (b), as most recently increased by the Secretary pursuant to section 2102(e) of such title. 

SEC. 205. IMPROVEMENTS TO ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS 

RESIDING IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. 

(a) INCREASED ASSISTANCE.—Subsection (b) of section 2102A 

is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$14,000’’ and inserting 

‘‘$28,000’’; and 

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$2,000’’ and inserting 

‘‘$5,000’’. 

(b) INDEXING OF LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.—Such subsection is 

further amended— 

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; 

(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 

by paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph 

(2): 

‘‘(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2012), 

the Secretary shall use the same percentage calculated pursuant 

to section 2102(e) of this title to increase the amounts described 

in paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’. 

(c) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ASSISTANCE.—Subsection (e) 

of such section is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2012’’ and 

inserting ‘‘December 31, 2022’’. 

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 

shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 

shall apply with respect to assistance furnished in accordance with 

section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, on or after that 

date. 

SEC. 206. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOAN 

GUARANTEES FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN 

TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3701(b) is amended by adding at 

the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(6) The term ‘veteran’ also includes, for purposes of home 

loans, the surviving spouse of a veteran who died and who 

was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for the receipt 

of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) compensation at the time of death for a service-connected disability 

rated totally disabling if— 

‘‘(A) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding death; 

‘‘(B) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than five years from the 

date of such veteran’s discharge or other release from active 

duty; or 

‘‘(C) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who 

died after September 30, 1999, and the disability was 

continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not 

less than one year immediately preceding death.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed after the date of 

the enactment of this Act. 
H. R. 1627—15 

(c) CLARIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FEES.—Fees shall 

be collected under section 3729 of title 38, United States Code, 

from a person described in paragraph (6) of section 3701(b) of 

such title, as added by subsection (a) of this section, in the same 

manner as such fees are collected from a person described in paragraph (2) of section 3701(b) of such title. 

SEC. 207. OCCUPANCY OF PROPERTY BY DEPENDENT CHILD OF VETERAN FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING 

LOANS. 

Paragraph (2) of section 3704(c) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(2) In any case in which a veteran is in active-duty status 

as a member of the Armed Forces and is unable to occupy a 

property because of such status, the occupancy requirements of 

this chapter shall be considered to be satisfied if— 

‘‘(A) the spouse of the veteran occupies or intends to occupy 

the property as a home and the spouse makes the certification 

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection; or 

‘‘(B) a dependent child of the veteran occupies or will occupy 

the property as a home and the veteran’s attorney-in-fact or 

legal guardian of the dependent child makes the certification 

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’. 

SEC. 208. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR GUARANTEEING OF 

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES. 

Section 3707(a) is amended by striking ‘‘demonstration project 

under this section during fiscal years 1993 through 2012’’ and 

inserting ‘‘project under this section’’. 

SEC. 209. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR INSURING HYBRID 

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES. 

Section 3707A(a) is amended by striking ‘‘demonstration project 

under this section during fiscal years 2004 through 2012’’ and 

inserting ‘‘project under this section’’. 

SEC. 210. WAIVER OF LOAN FEE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY 

RATINGS ISSUED DURING PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS. 

Paragraph (2) of section 3729(c) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be treated 

as receiving compensation for purposes of this subsection as of 

the date of the rating described in such subparagraph without 

regard to whether an effective date of the award of compensation 

is established as of that date. 

‘‘(B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran 

who is rated eligible to receive compensation— 

‘‘(i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability examination 

and rating; or 

‘‘(ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical 

evidence (including service medical and treatment records) that 

results in the issuance of a memorandum rating.’’. 

SEC. 211. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES FOR ENHANCED-USE 

LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY. 

(a) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEFINED.—Section 8161 is amended 

by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
H. R. 1627—16 

‘‘(3) The term ‘supportive housing’ means housing that 

engages tenants in on-site and community-based support services for veterans or their families that are at risk of homelessness or are homeless. Such term may include the following: 

‘‘(A) Transitional housing. 

‘‘(B) Single-room occupancy. 

‘‘(C) Permanent housing. 

‘‘(D) Congregate living housing. 

‘‘(E) Independent living housing. 

‘‘(F) Assisted living housing. 

‘‘(G) Other modalities of housing.’’. 

(b) MODIFICATION OF LIMITATIONS ON ENHANCED USE LEASES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) is 

amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(2) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease only 

for the provision of supportive housing and the lease is not inconsistent with and will not adversely affect the mission of the Department.’’. 

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) of 

title 38, United States Code, as amended by paragraph 

(1), shall take effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply 

with respect to enhanced-use leases entered into on or 

after such date. 

(B) PREVIOUS LEASES.—Any enhanced-use lease that 

the Secretary has entered into prior to the date described 

in subparagraph (A) shall be subject to the provisions of 

subchapter V of chapter 81 of such title, as in effect on 

the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(c) CONSIDERATION FOR AND TERMS OF ENHANCED-USE

LEASES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8162(b) is amended— 

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(A) If the Secretary’’ 

and all that follows through ‘‘under subparagraph (A).’’ 

and inserting the following: ‘‘If the Secretary has determined that a property should be leased to another party 

through an enhanced-use lease, the Secretary shall, at 

the Secretary’s discretion, select the party with whom the 

lease will be entered into using such selection procedures 

as the Secretary considers appropriate.’’; 

(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 

‘‘(3)(A) For any enhanced-use lease entered into by the Secretary, the lease consideration provided to the Secretary shall consist solely of cash at fair value as determined by the Secretary. 

‘‘(B) The Secretary shall receive no other type of consideration 

for an enhanced-use lease besides cash. 

‘‘(C) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease without receiving consideration.’’; 

(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘Secretary to’’ and 

all that follows through ‘‘use minor’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary to use minor’’; and 

(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 

‘‘(5) The terms of an enhanced-use lease may not provide for 

any acquisition, contract, demonstration, exchange, grant, incentive, 

procurement, sale, other transaction authority, service agreement, 

use agreement, lease, or lease-back by the Secretary or Federal 

Government. 
H. R. 1627—17 

‘‘(6) The Secretary may not enter into an enhanced-use lease 

without certification in advance in writing by the Director of the 

Office of Management and Budget that such lease complies with 

the requirements of this subchapter.’’. 

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (3) of section 8162(b), as 

amended by paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, shall take 

effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to 

enhanced-use leases entered into on or after such date. 

(d) PROHIBITED ENHANCED-USE LEASES.—Section 8162(c) is 

amended— 

(1) by striking paragraph (2); and 

(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) Subject to paragraph 

(2), the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’. 

(e) DISPOSITION OF LEASED PROPERTY.—Subsection (b) of section 

8164 is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(b) A disposition under this section may be made in return 

for cash at fair value as the Secretary determines is in the best 

interest of the United States and upon such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate.’’. 

(f) USE OF AMOUNTS RECEIVED FOR DISPOSITION OF LEASED

PROPERTY.—Section 8165(a)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘in the 

Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund established 

under section 8118 of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘into the Department 

of Veterans Affairs Construction, Major Projects account or 

Construction, Minor Projects account, as the Secretary considers 

appropriate’’. 

(g) CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.—Section 8166 is amended to 

read as follows: 

‘‘§ 8166. Construction standards 

‘‘The construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or improvement of a property that is the subject of an enhanced-use lease 

shall be carried out so as to comply with all applicable provisions 

of Federal, State, and local law relating to land use, building 

standards, permits, and inspections.’’. 

(h) EXEMPTION FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.—Section 8167 

is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘§ 8167. Exemption from State and local taxes 

‘‘(a) IMPROVEMENTS AND OPERATIONS NOT EXEMPTED.—The 

improvements and operations on land leased by a person with 

an enhanced-use lease from the Secretary shall be subject to all 

applicable provisions of Federal, State, or local law relating to 

taxation, fees, and assessments. 

‘‘(b) UNDERLYING FEE TITLE INTEREST EXEMPTED.—The underlying fee title interest of the United States in any land subject 

to an enhanced-use lease shall not be subject, directly or indirectly, 

to any provision of State or local law relating to taxation, fees, 

or assessments.’’. 

(i) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter V of chapter 81 is amended 

by inserting after section 8167 the following new section: 

‘‘§ 8168. Annual reports 

‘‘(a) REPORT ON ADMINISTRATION OF LEASES.—Not later than 

120 days after the date of the enactment of the Honoring America’s 

Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and 
H. R. 1627—18 

not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary 

shall submit to Congress a report identifying the actions taken 

by the Secretary to implement and administer enhanced-use leases. 

‘‘(b) REPORT ON LEASE CONSIDERATION.—Each year, as part 

of the annual budget submission of the President to Congress 

under section 1105(a) of title 31, the Secretary shall submit to 

Congress a detailed report of the consideration received by the 

Secretary for each enhanced-use lease under this subchapter, along 

with an overview of how the Secretary is utilizing such consideration 

to support veterans.’’. 

(2) ELEMENTS OF INITIAL REPORT.—The first report submitted by the Secretary under section 8168(a) of title 38, United 

States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall include a summary of those measures the Secretary is taking to address 

the following recommendations from the February 9, 2012, 

audit report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of 

Inspector General on enhanced-use leases under subchapter 

V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code: 

(A) Improve standards to ensure complete lease agreements are negotiated in line with strategic goals of the 

Department of Veterans Affairs. 

(B) Institute improved policies and procedures to 

govern activities such as monitoring enhanced-use lease 

projects and calculating, classifying, and reporting on 

enhanced-use lease benefits and expenses. 

(C) Recalculate and update enhanced-use lease 

expenses and benefits reported in the most recent 

Enhanced-Use Lease Consideration Report of the Department. 

(D) Establish improved oversight mechanisms to 

ensure major enhanced-use lease project decisions are documented and maintained in accordance with policy. 

(E) Establish improved criteria to measure timeliness 

and performance in enhanced-use lease project development 

and execution. 

(F) Establish improved criteria and guidelines for 

assessing projects to determine whether they are or remain 

viable candidates for enhanced-use leases. 

(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 8167 the following new item: 

‘‘8168. Annual reports.’’. 

(j) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 8169 is amended by 

striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2023’’. 

(k) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Except as otherwise provided in this 

section, the amendments made by this section shall take effect 

on the date of the enactment of this Act. 

TITLE III—HOMELESS MATTERS 

SEC. 301. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS. 

(a) ENHANCEMENT OF GRANTS.—Section 2011 is amended— 

(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings, or acquisition of facilities,’’ and inserting ‘‘new construction of facilities, expansion, 
H. R. 1627—19 

remodeling, or alteration of existing facilities, or acquisition 

of facilities,’’; and 

(2) in subsection (c)— 

(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘A grant’’ and 

inserting ‘‘(1) A grant’’; 

(B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as designated by subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘The amount’’ 

and inserting the following: 

‘‘(2) The amount’’; and 

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an 

entity that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project 

described in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity 

proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, if 

the entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will 

provide oversight and site control for the project. 

‘‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘private nonprofit organization’ 

means the following: 

‘‘(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 

foundation— 

‘‘(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance to 

receive, tax-exempt status under paragraph (2), (3), or (19) 

of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; 

‘‘(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the institution, organization, or foundation inures to the benefit of 

any member, founder, or contributor of the institution, 

organization, or foundation; and 

‘‘(III) that the Secretary determines is financially 

responsible. 

‘‘(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited liability 

company, the sole general partner or manager of which is 

an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through 

(III) of clause (i). 

‘‘(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an 

organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) 

of clause (i).’’. 

(b) GRANT AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS.— (1) STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF FISCAL CONTROLS AND

PAYMENT METHOD.—Not later than one year after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall— 

(A) complete a study of all matters relating to the 

method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments 

under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code, 

including changes anticipated by the Secretary in the cost 

of furnishing services to homeless veterans and accounting 

for costs of providing such services in various geographic 

areas; 

(B) develop more effective and efficient procedures for 

fiscal control and fund accounting by recipients of grants 

under sections 2011, 2012, and 2061 of such title; and 

(C) develop a more effective and efficient method for 

adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under section 

2011 of such title for services furnished to homeless veterans. 

(2) CONSIDERATION.—In developing the method required 

by paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may consider payments and 
H. R. 1627—20 

grants received by recipients of grants described in such paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and 

local governments and from private entities. 

(3) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of 

the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on— 

(A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to the 

study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1); 

(B) the methods developed under subparagraphs (B) 

and (C) of such paragraph; and 

(C) any recommendations of the Secretary for revising 

the method described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph and any legislative action the Secretary considers 

necessary to implement such method. 

SEC. 302. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION TO CERTAIN VETERANS TO 

INCLUDE PROVISION OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION TO HOMELESS VETERANS WHO ARE NOT SERIOUSLY 

MENTALLY ILL. 

Section 2031(a) is amended in the matter before paragraph 

(1) by striking ‘‘, including’’ and inserting ‘‘and to’’. 

SEC. 303. MODIFICATION OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. 

(a) INCLUSION OF ENTITIES ELIGIBLE FOR COMPREHENSIVE

SERVICE PROGRAM GRANTS AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES

TO HOMELESS VETERANS.—Subsection (a) of section 2061 is 

amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘to grant and per diem providers’’ and 

inserting ‘‘to entities eligible for grants and per diem payments 

under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title’’; and 

(2) by striking ‘‘by those facilities and providers’’ and 

inserting ‘‘by those facilities and entities’’. 

(b) INCLUSION OF MALE HOMELESS VETERANS WITH MINOR

DEPENDENTS.—Subsection (b) of such section is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘, including women who 

have care of minor dependents’’; 

(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘or’’; 

(3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 

and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 

(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(5) individuals who have care of minor dependents.’’. 

(c) AUTHORIZATION OF PROVISION OF SERVICES TO DEPENDENTS.—Such section is further amended— 

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and 

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c): 

‘‘(c) PROVISION OF SERVICES TO DEPENDENTS.—A recipient of 

a grant under subsection (a) may use amounts under the grant 

to provide services directly to a dependent of a homeless veteran 

with special needs who is under the care of such homeless veteran 

while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant 

recipient under this section.’’. 
H. R. 1627—21 

SEC. 304. COLLABORATION IN PROVISION OF CASE MANAGEMENT 

SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS IN SUPPORTED 

HOUSING PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider entering into contracts or agreements, under sections 513 

and 8153 of title 38, United States Code, with eligible entities 

to collaborate with the Secretary in the provision of case management services to covered veterans as part of the supported housing 

program carried out under section 8(o)(19) of the United States 

Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) to ensure that the 

homeless veterans facing the most significant difficulties in 

obtaining suitable housing receive the assistance they require to 

obtain such housing. 

(b) COVERED VETERANS.—For purposes of this section, a covered 

veteran is any veteran who, at the time of receipt of a housing 

voucher under such section 8(o)(19)— 

(1) requires the assistance of a case manager in obtaining 

suitable housing with such voucher; and 

(2) is having difficulty obtaining the amount of such assistance the veteran requires, including because— 

(A) the veteran resides in an area that has a shortage 

of low-income housing and because of such shortage the 

veteran requires more assistance from a case manager 

than the Secretary otherwise provides; 

(B) the location in which the veteran resides is located 

at such distance from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as makes the provision of case management 

services by the Secretary to such veteran impractical; or 

(C) the veteran resides in an area where veterans 

who receive case management services from the Secretary 

under such section have a significantly lower average rate 

of successfully obtaining suitable housing than the average 

rate of successfully obtaining suitable housing for all veterans receiving such services. 

(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For purposes of this section, an eligible 

entity is any State or local government agency, tribal organization 

(as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), or nonprofit 

organization that— 

(1) under a contract or agreement described in subsection 

(a), agrees— 

(A) to ensure access to case management services by 

covered veterans on an as-needed basis; 

(B) to maintain referral networks for covered veterans 

for purposes of assisting covered veterans in demonstrating 

eligibility for assistance and additional services under 

entitlement and assistance programs available for covered 

veterans, and to otherwise aid covered veterans in 

obtaining such assistance and services; 

(C) to ensure the confidentiality of records maintained 

by the entity on covered veterans receiving services through 

the supported housing program described in subsection 

(a); 

(D) to establish such procedures for fiscal control and 

fund accounting as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate to ensure proper disbursement and 
H. R. 1627—22 

accounting of funds under a contract or agreement entered 

into by the entity as described in subsection (a); 

(E) to submit to the Secretary each year, in such form 

and such manner as the Secretary may require, a report 

on the collaboration undertaken by the entity under a 

contract or agreement described in such subsection during 

the most recent fiscal year, including a description of, for 

the year covered by the report— 

(i) the services and assistance provided to covered 

veterans as part of such collaboration; 

(ii) the process by which covered veterans were 

referred to the entity for such services and assistance; 

(iii) the specific goals jointly set by the entity and 

the Secretary for the provision of such services and 

assistance and whether the entity achieved such goals; 

and 

(iv) the average length of time taken by a covered 

veteran who received such services and assistance to 

successfully obtain suitable housing and the average 

retention rate of such a veteran in such housing; and 

(F) to meet such other requirements as the Secretary 

considers appropriate for purposes of providing assistance 

to covered veterans in obtaining suitable housing; and 

(2) has demonstrated experience in— 

(A) identifying and serving homeless veterans, especially those who have the greatest difficulty obtaining suitable housing; 

(B) working collaboratively with the Department of 

Veterans Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development; 

(C) conducting outreach to, and maintaining relationships with, landlords to encourage and facilitate participation by landlords in supported housing programs similar 

to the supported housing program described in subsection 

(a); 

(D) mediating disputes between landlords and veterans 

receiving assistance under such supported housing program; and 

(E) carrying out such other activities as the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate. 

(d) CONSULTATION.—In considering entering into contracts or 

agreements as described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs shall consult with— 

(1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and 

(2) third parties that provide services as part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development continuum of care. 

(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR COLLABORATING ENTITIES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide training and 

technical assistance to entities with whom the Secretary 

collaborates in the provision of case management services to 

veterans as part of the supported housing program described 

in subsection (a). 

(2) GRANTS.—The Secretary may provide training and technical assistance under paragraph (1) through the award of 

grants or contracts to appropriate public and nonprofit private 

entities. 
H. R. 1627—23 

(3) FUNDING.—From amounts appropriated or otherwise 

made available to the Secretary in the Medical Services account 

in a year, $500,000 shall be available to the Secretary in 

that year to carry out this subsection. 

(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 545 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than 

once each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall submit to Congress a report on the collaboration between 

the Secretary and eligible entities in the provision of case 

management services as described in subsection (a) during 

the most recently completed fiscal year. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by paragraph (1) 

shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following: 

(A) A discussion of each case in which a contract or 

agreement described in subsection (a) was considered by 

the Secretary, including a description of whether or not 

and why the Secretary chose or did not choose to enter 

into such contract or agreement. 

(B) The number and types of eligible entities with 

whom the Secretary has entered into a contract or agreement as described in subsection (a). 

(C) A description of the geographic regions in which 

such entities provide case management services as 

described in such subsection. 

(D) A description of the number and types of covered 

veterans who received case management services from such 

entities under such contracts or agreements. 

(E) An assessment of the performance of each eligible 

entity with whom the Secretary entered into a contract 

or agreement as described in subsection (a). 

(F) An assessment of the benefits to covered veterans 

of such contracts and agreements. 

(G) A discussion of the benefits of increasing the ratio 

of case managers to recipients of vouchers under the supported housing program described in such subsection to 

veterans who reside in rural areas. 

(H) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate for 

the improvement of collaboration in the provision of case 

management services under such supported housing program. 

SEC. 305. EXTENSIONS OF PREVIOUSLY FULLY FUNDED AUTHORITIES 

AFFECTING HOMELESS VETERANS. 

(a) COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.—Section 2013 is 

amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following 

new paragraphs: ‘‘(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. 

‘‘(6) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent 

fiscal year.’’. 

(b) HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.—Section 

2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2013’’. 

(c) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY

LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.—Section 

2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new 

subparagraph: 
H. R. 1627—24 

‘‘(E) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.’’. 

(d) GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL

NEEDS.—Section 2061(c)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘through 2012’’ 

and inserting ‘‘through 2013’’. 

TITLE IV—EDUCATION MATTERS 

SEC. 401. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE BOTH SURVIVORS’ 

AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND 

OTHER VETERANS AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 

(a) AGGREGATE AMOUNT AVAILABLE.—Section 3695 is 

amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘35,’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(c) The aggregate period for which any person may receive 

assistance under chapter 35 of this title, on the one hand, and 

any of the provisions of law referred to in subsection (a), on the 

other hand, may not exceed 81 months (or the part-time equivalent 

thereof).’’. 

(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall take effect on October 1, 2013, and shall not operate to 

revive any entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, 

United States Code, or the provisions of law referred to in section 

3695(a) of such title, as in effect on the day before such date, 

that was terminated by reason of the operation of section 3695(a) 

of such title, as so in effect, before such date. 

(c) REVIVAL OF ENTITLEMENT REDUCED BY PRIOR UTILIZATION

OF CHAPTER 35 ASSISTANCE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in the case 

of an individual whose period of entitlement to assistance under 

a provision of law referred to in section 3695(a) of title 38, 

United States Code (other than chapter 35 of such title), as 

in effect on September 30, 2013, was reduced under such section 

3695(a), as so in effect, by reason of the utilization of entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of such title before October 

1, 2013, the period of entitlement to assistance of such individual under such provision shall be determined without regard 

to any entitlement so utilized by the individual under chapter 

35 of such title. 

(2) LIMITATION.—The maximum period of entitlement to 

assistance of an individual under paragraph (1) may not exceed 

81 months. 

SEC. 402. ANNUAL REPORTS ON POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAM AND SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended 

by adding at the end the following new section: 

‘‘§ 3325. Reporting requirement 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each academic year— 

‘‘(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress 

a report on the operation of the program provided for in this 

chapter; and 
H. R. 1627—25 

‘‘(2) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 

the operation of the program provided for in this chapter and 

the program provided for under chapter 35 of this title. 

‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE REPORTS.—The Secretary of Defense shall include in each report submitted under 

this section— 

‘‘(1) information— 

‘‘(A) indicating the extent to which the benefit levels 

provided under this chapter are adequate to achieve the 

purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in 

the Armed Forces and of providing an adequate level of 

financial assistance to help meet the cost of pursuing a 

program of education; 

‘‘(B) indicating whether it is necessary for the purposes 

of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty 

personnel in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the 

opportunity for educational assistance under this chapter 

to individuals who have not yet entered active-duty service; 

and 

‘‘(C) describing the efforts under section 3323(b) of 

this title to inform members of the Armed Forces of the 

active duty service requirements for entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter and the results from 

such efforts; and 

‘‘(2) such recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the provision of educational assistance 

to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their 

dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 

‘‘(c) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTS.— 

The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under this 

section— 

‘‘(1) information concerning the level of utilization of educational assistance and of expenditures under this chapter and 

under chapter 35 of this title; 

‘‘(2) appropriate student outcome measures, such as the 

number of credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other qualifications earned by beneficiaries under this chapter and chapter 

35 of this title during the academic year covered by the report; 

and 

‘‘(3) such recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the provision of educational assistance 

to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their 

dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

‘‘(d) TERMINATION.—No report shall be required under this section after January 1, 2021.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 3324 the following new item: 

‘‘3325. Reporting requirement.’’. 

(3) DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF FIRST REPORT.—The first 

reports required under section 3325 of title 38, United States 

Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall be submitted by not 

later than November 1, 2013. 

(b) REPEAL OF REPORT ON ALL VOLUNTEER-FORCE EDUCATIONAL

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
H. R. 1627—26 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 30 is amended by striking section 

3036. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 

relating to section 3036. 

TITLE V—BENEFITS MATTERS 

SEC. 501. AUTOMATIC WAIVER OF AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION REVIEW OF NEW EVIDENCE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7105 is amended by adding at the 

end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(e)(1) If, either at the time or after the agency of original 

jurisdiction receives a substantive appeal, the claimant or the claimant’s representative, if any, submits evidence to either the agency 

of original jurisdiction or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals for consideration in connection with the issue or issues with which disagreement has been expressed, such evidence shall be subject to initial 

review by the Board unless the claimant or the claimant’s representative, as the case may be, requests in writing that the agency 

of original jurisdiction initially review such evidence. 

‘‘(2) A request for review of evidence under paragraph (1) shall 

accompany the submittal of the evidence.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (e) of such section, as added 

by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 

after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with 

respect to claims for which a substantive appeal is filed on or 

after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

SEC. 502. AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO SIGN CLAIMS FILED 

WITH SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF 

CLAIMANTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5101 is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘A specific’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) A specific’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(2) If an individual has not attained the age of 18 years, 

is mentally incompetent, or is physically unable to sign a form, 

a form filed under paragraph (1) for the individual may be signed 

by a court-appointed representative, a person who is responsible 

for the care of the individual, including a spouse or other relative, 

or an attorney in fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of 

the individual under a durable power of attorney. If the individual 

is in the care of an institution, the manager or principal officer 

of the institution may sign the form.’’; 

(2) in subsection (c)— 

(A) in paragraph (1)— 

(i) by inserting ‘‘, signs a form on behalf of an 

individual to apply for,’’ after ‘‘who applies for’’; 

(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or TIN in the case that the 

person is not an individual,’’ after ‘‘of such person’’; 

and 

(iii) by striking ‘‘dependent’’ and inserting ‘‘claimant, dependent,’’; and 
H. R. 1627—27 

(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or TIN’’ after ‘‘social 

security number’’ each place it appears; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(d) In this section: 

‘‘(1) The term ‘mentally incompetent’ with respect to an 

individual means that the individual lacks the mental 

capacity— 

‘‘(A) to provide substantially accurate information 

needed to complete a form; or 

‘‘(B) to certify that the statements made on a form 

are true and complete. 

‘‘(2) The term ‘TIN’ has the meaning given the term in 

section 7701(a)(41) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.’’. 

(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 

shall apply with respect to claims filed on or after the date of 

the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 503. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESS FOR FILING JOINTLY FOR 

SOCIAL SECURITY AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 

COMPENSATION. 

Section 5105 is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘shall’’ the first place it appears and 

inserting ‘‘may’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘Each such form’’ and inserting ‘‘Such 

forms’’; and 

(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘on such a form’’ and 

inserting ‘‘on any document indicating an intent to apply for 

survivor benefits’’. 

SEC. 504. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION 

TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS FOR BENEFITS 

UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5103 is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘Upon receipt of a complete or substantially complete application, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 

(B) by striking ‘‘notify’’ and inserting ‘‘provide to’’; and 

(C) by inserting ‘‘by the most effective means available, 

including electronic communication or notification in 

writing, notice’’ before ‘‘of any information’’; and 

(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 

new paragraphs: 

‘‘(4) Nothing in this section shall require the Secretary to provide notice for a subsequent claim that is filed while a previous 

claim is pending if the notice previously provided for such pending 

claim— 

‘‘(A) provides sufficient notice of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate such subsequent claim; and 

‘‘(B) was sent within one year of the date on which the 

subsequent claim was filed. 

‘‘(5)(A) This section shall not apply to any claim or issue where 

the Secretary may award the maximum benefit in accordance with 

this title based on the evidence of record. 

‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘maximum benefit’ 

means the highest evaluation assignable in accordance with the 

evidence of record, as long as such evidence is adequate for rating 
H. R. 1627—28 

purposes and sufficient to grant the earliest possible effective date 

in accordance with section 5110 of this title.’’. 

(b) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the amendments made by subsection (a) shall be construed as eliminating any requirement with 

respect to the contents of a notice under section 5103 of title 

38, United States Code, that is required under regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of such section as of the 

date of the enactment of this Act. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsection 

(a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect 

to notification obligations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

on or after such date. 

(2) CONSTRUCTION REGARDING APPLICABILITY.—Nothing in 

this section or the amendments made by this section shall 

be construed to require the Secretary to carry out notification 

procedures in accordance with requirements of section 5103 

of title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before 

the effective date established in paragraph (1) on or after 

such effective date. 

SEC. 505. DUTY TO ASSIST CLAIMANTS IN OBTAINING PRIVATE 

RECORDS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 5103A is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(b) ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING PRIVATE RECORDS.—(1) As part 

of the assistance provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 

make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant private records that 

the claimant adequately identifies to the Secretary. 

‘‘(2)(A) Whenever the Secretary, after making such reasonable 

efforts, is unable to obtain all of the relevant records sought, the 

Secretary shall notify the claimant that the Secretary is unable 

to obtain records with respect to the claim. Such a notification 

shall— 

‘‘(i) identify the records the Secretary is unable to obtain; 

‘‘(ii) briefly explain the efforts that the Secretary made 

to obtain such records; and 

‘‘(iii) explain that the Secretary will decide the claim based 

on the evidence of record but that this section does not prohibit 

the submission of records at a later date if such submission 

is otherwise allowed. 

‘‘(B) The Secretary shall make not less than two requests to 

a custodian of a private record in order for an effort to obtain 

relevant private records to be treated as reasonable under this 

section, unless it is made evident by the first request that a second 

request would be futile in obtaining such records. 

‘‘(3)(A) This section shall not apply if the evidence of record 

allows for the Secretary to award the maximum benefit in accordance with this title based on the evidence of record. 

‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘maximum benefit’ 

means the highest evaluation assignable in accordance with the 

evidence of record, as long as such evidence is adequate for rating 

purposes and sufficient to grant the earliest possible effective date 

in accordance with section 5110 of this title. 

‘‘(4) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary— 
H. R. 1627—29 

‘‘(A) shall encourage claimants to submit relevant private 

medical records of the claimant to the Secretary if such submission does not burden the claimant; and 

‘‘(B) in obtaining relevant private records under paragraph 

(1), may require the claimant to authorize the Secretary to 

obtain such records if such authorization is required to comply 

with Federal, State, or local law.’’. 

(b) PUBLIC RECORDS.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(c) OBTAINING RECORDS FOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS.—(1) In 

the case of a claim for disability compensation, the assistance 

provided by the Secretary under this section shall include obtaining 

the following records if relevant to the claim: 

‘‘(A) The claimant’s service medical records and, if the 

claimant has furnished the Secretary information sufficient 

to locate such records, other relevant records pertaining to 

the claimant’s active military, naval, or air service that are 

held or maintained by a governmental entity. 

‘‘(B) Records of relevant medical treatment or examination 

of the claimant at Department health-care facilities or at the 

expense of the Department, if the claimant furnishes information sufficient to locate those records. 

‘‘(C) Any other relevant records held by any Federal department or agency that the claimant adequately identifies and 

authorizes the Secretary to obtain. 

‘‘(2) Whenever the Secretary attempts to obtain records from 

a Federal department or agency under this subsection, the efforts 

to obtain those records shall continue until the records are obtained 

unless it is reasonably certain that such records do not exist or 

that further efforts to obtain those records would be futile.’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 

(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 

after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply 

with respect to assistance obligations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on or after such date. 

(2) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to require the 

Secretary to carry out assistance in accordance with requirements of section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, as 

in effect on the day before the effective date established in 

paragraph (1) on or after such effective date. 

SEC. 506. AUTHORITY FOR RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 

AWARDS OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION 

WITH APPLICATIONS THAT ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED AT 

SUBMITTAL. 

Section 5110(b) is amended— 

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 

(3) and (4), respectively; and 

(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): 

‘‘(2)(A) The effective date of an award of disability compensation 

to a veteran who submits an application therefor that sets forth 

an original claim that is fully-developed (as determined by the 

Secretary) as of the date of submittal shall be fixed in accordance 
H. R. 1627—30 

with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date that 

is one year before the date of receipt of the application. 

‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an original claim is an 

initial claim filed by a veteran for disability compensation. 

‘‘(C) This paragraph shall take effect on the date that is one 

year after the date of the enactment of the Honoring America’s 

Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and 

shall not apply with respect to claims filed after the date that 

is three years after the date of the enactment of such Act.’’. 

SEC. 507. MODIFICATION OF MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE ENTITLED 

TO COMPENSATION OR PENSION. 

(a) SURVIVING SPOUSE BENEFIT FOR MONTH OF VETERAN’S

DEATH.—Subsections (a) and (b) of section 5310 are amended to 

read as follows: 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) A surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled 

to a benefit for the month of the veteran’s death if— 

‘‘(A) at the time of the veteran’s death, the veteran was 

receiving compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 

this title; or 

‘‘(B) the veteran is determined for purposes of section 5121 

or 5121A of this title as having been entitled to receive compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 

the month of the veteran’s death. 

‘‘(2) The amount of the benefit under paragraph (1) is the 

amount that the veteran would have received under chapter 11 

or 15 of this title, as the case may be, for the month of the 

veteran’s death had the veteran not died. 

‘‘(b) CLAIMS PENDING ADJUDICATION.—If a claim for entitlement 

to compensation or additional compensation under chapter 11 of 

this title or pension or additional pension under chapter 15 of 

this title is pending at the time of a veteran’s death and the 

check or other payment issued to the veteran’s surviving spouse 

under subsection (a) is less than the amount of the benefit the 

veteran would have been entitled to for the month of death pursuant 

to the adjudication of the pending claim, an amount equal to the 

difference between the amount to which the veteran would have 

been entitled to receive under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 

the month of the veteran’s death had the veteran not died and 

the amount of the check or other payment issued to the surviving 

spouse shall be treated in the same manner as an accrued benefit 

under section 5121 of this title.’’. 

(b) MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT EXEMPT FROM DELAYED

COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—Section 5111(c)(1) is amended by 

striking ‘‘apply to’’ and all that follows through ‘‘death occurred’’ 

and inserting the following: ‘‘not apply to payments made pursuant 

to section 5310 of this title’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 

shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 

shall apply with respect to deaths that occur on or after that 

date. 

SEC. 508. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS 

MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM 

REQUIRE REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1521(f)(2) is amended by striking 

‘‘$30,480’’ and inserting ‘‘$32,433’’. 
H. R. 1627—31 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 509. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS OF EXPENSES 

FROM DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL INCOME WITH 

RESPECT TO PENSIONS FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVING 

SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (5) of section 1503(a) of title 38, 

United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(5) payments regarding reimbursements of any kind 

(including insurance settlement payments) for expenses related 

to the repayment, replacement, or repair of equipment, vehicles, 

items, money, or property resulting from— 

‘‘(A) any accident (as defined by the Secretary), but 

the amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed 

the greater of the fair market value or reasonable replacement value of the equipment or vehicle involved at the 

time immediately preceding the accident; 

‘‘(B) any theft or loss (as defined by the Secretary), 

but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 

exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 

replacement value of the item or the amount of the money 

(including legal tender of the United States or of a foreign 

country) involved at the time immediately preceding the 

theft or loss; or 

‘‘(C) any casualty loss (as defined by the Secretary), 

but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 

exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 

replacement value of the property involved at the time 

immediately preceding the casualty loss;’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of 

the enactment of this Act. 

TITLE VI—MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND 

CEMETERY MATTERS 

SEC. 601. PROHIBITION ON DISRUPTIONS OF FUNERALS OF MEMBERS 

OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 

(a) PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.— (1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to provide 

necessary and proper support for the recruitment and retention 

of the Armed Forces and militia employed in the service of 

the United States by protecting the dignity of the service of 

the members of such Forces and militia, and by protecting 

the privacy of their immediate family members and other 

attendees during funeral services for such members. 

(2) CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.—Congress finds that this 

section is a necessary and proper exercise of its powers under 

the Constitution, article I, section 8, paragraphs 1, 12, 13, 

14, 16, and 18, to provide for the common defense, raise and 

support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make rules for 

the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, 

and provide for organizing and governing such part of the 

militia as may be employed in the service of the United States. 
H. R. 1627—32 

(b) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 18.—Section 1388 of title 18, United 

States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘§ 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members 

or former members of the Armed Forces 

‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—For any funeral of a member or former 

member of the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery 

under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or part 

of Arlington National Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for any person 

to engage in an activity during the period beginning 120 minutes 

before and ending 120 minutes after such funeral, any part of 

which activity— 

‘‘(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location 

of such funeral or takes place within 300 feet of the point 

of the intersection between— 

‘‘(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral; and 

‘‘(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to or 

egress from the location of such funeral; and 

‘‘(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting 

in the making of any noise or diversion— 

‘‘(i) that is not part of such funeral and that disturbs 

or tends to disturb the peace or good order of such funeral; 

and 

‘‘(ii) with the intent of disturbing the peace or good 

order of such funeral; 

‘‘(2)(A) is within 500 feet of the boundary of the location 

of such funeral; and 

‘‘(B) includes any individual— 

‘‘(i) willfully and without proper authorization 

impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 

from such location; and 

‘‘(ii) with the intent to impede the access to or egress 

from such location; or 

‘‘(3) is on or near the boundary of the residence, home, 

or domicile of any surviving member of the deceased person’s 

immediate family and includes any individual willfully making 

or assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 

‘‘(A) that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace of 

the persons located at such location; and 

‘‘(B) with the intent of disturbing such peace. 

‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 

be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, 

or both. 

‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.— 

‘‘(1) DISTRICT COURTS.—The district courts of the United 

States shall have jurisdiction— 

‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 

and 

‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 

this section. 

‘‘(2) ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The Attorney General may 

institute proceedings under this section. 

‘‘(3) CLAIMS.—Any person, including a surviving member 

of the deceased person’s immediate family, who suffers injury 

as a result of conduct that violates this section may— 
H. R. 1627—33 

‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 

district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; 

and 

‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) 

and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ 

fees. 

‘‘(4) ESTOPPEL.—A final judgment or decree rendered in 

favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought 

by the United States under this section shall estop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal 

offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by a person 

or by the United States. 

‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to any penalty imposed under 

subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in an action 

under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages as provided 

in this subsection. 

‘‘(2) ACTIONS BY PRIVATE PERSONS.—A person bringing an 

action under subsection (c)(3) may elect, at any time before 

final judgment is rendered, to recover the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the violation or, instead 

of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for each 

violation involved in the action. 

‘‘(3) ACTIONS BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.—In any action under 

subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General is entitled to recover 

an award of statutory damages for each violation involved 

in the action notwithstanding any recovery under subsection 

(c)(3). 

‘‘(4) STATUTORY DAMAGES.—A court may award, as the court 

considers just, statutory damages in a sum of not less than 

$25,000 or more than $50,000 per violation. 

‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 

presumption that the violation was committed willfully for purposes 

of determining relief under this section if the violator, or a person 

acting in concert with the violator, did not have reasonable grounds 

to believe, either from the attention or publicity sought by the 

violator or other circumstance, that the conduct of such violator 

or person would not disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good 

order of such funeral, impede or tend to impede the access to 

or egress from such funeral, or disturb or tend to disturb the 

peace of any surviving member of the deceased person’s immediate 

family who may be found on or near the residence, home, or domicile 

of the deceased person’s immediate family on the date of the service 

or ceremony. 

‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

‘‘(1) the term ‘Armed Forces’ has the meaning given the 

term in section 101 of title 10 and includes members and 

former members of the National Guard who were employed 

in the service of the United States; and 

‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 

a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 

such term is defined in section 115 of this title.’’. 

(c) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 38.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2413 is amended to read as follows: 
H. R. 1627—34 

‘‘§ 2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at cemeteries under control of the National 

Cemetery Administration and at Arlington 

National Cemetery 

‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any person— 

‘‘(1) to carry out a demonstration on the property of a 

cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or on the property of Arlington National Cemetery 

unless the demonstration has been approved by the cemetery 

superintendent or the director of the property on which the 

cemetery is located; or 

‘‘(2) with respect to such a cemetery, to engage in a demonstration during the period beginning 120 minutes before and 

ending 120 minutes after a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony is held, any part of which demonstration— 

‘‘(A)(i) takes place within the boundaries of such cemetery or takes place within 300 feet of the point of the 

intersection between— 

‘‘(I) the boundary of such cemetery; and 

‘‘(II) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress 

to or egress from such cemetery; and 

‘‘(ii) includes any individual willfully making or 

assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 

‘‘(I) that is not part of such funeral, memorial 

service, or ceremony and that disturbs or tends to 

disturb the peace or good order of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; and 

‘‘(II) with the intent of disturbing the peace or 

good order of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or 

‘‘(B)(i) is within 500 feet of the boundary of such cemetery; and 

‘‘(ii) includes any individual— 

‘‘(I) willfully and without proper authorization 

impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 

from such cemetery; and 

‘‘(II) with the intent to impede the access to or 

egress from such cemetery. 

‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 

be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than one year, 

or both. 

‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.—(1) The district courts of the United 

States shall have jurisdiction— 

‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; and 

‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 

this section. 

‘‘(2) The Attorney General of the United States may institute 

proceedings under this section. 

‘‘(3) Any person, including a surviving member of the deceased 

person’s immediate family, who suffers injury as a result of conduct 

that violates this section may— 

‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States district 

court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and 

‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and 

the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. 

‘‘(4) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United 

States in any criminal proceeding brought by the United States 
H. R. 1627—35 

under this section shall estop the defendant from denying the 

essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil 

proceeding brought by a person or by the United States. 

‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.—(1) In addition to any 

penalty imposed under subsection (b), a violator of this section 

is liable in an action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory 

damages as provided in this subsection. 

‘‘(2) A person bringing an action under subsection (c)(3) may 

elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover 

the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the 

violation or, instead of actual damages, an award of statutory 

damages for each violation involved in the action. 

‘‘(3) In any action brought under subsection (c)(2), the Attorney 

General is entitled to recover an award of statutory damages for 

each violation involved in the action notwithstanding any recovery 

under subsection (c)(3). 

‘‘(4) A court may award, as the court considers just, statutory 

damages in a sum of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 

per violation. 

‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 

presumption that the violation of subsection (a) was committed 

willfully for purposes of determining relief under this section if 

the violator, or a person acting in concert with the violator, did 

not have reasonable grounds to believe, either from the attention 

or publicity sought by the violator or other circumstance, that 

the conduct of such violator or person would not— 

‘‘(1) disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order 

of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or 

‘‘(2) impede or tend to impede the access to or egress 

from such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony. 

‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

‘‘(1) the term ‘demonstration’ includes— 

‘‘(A) any picketing or similar conduct; 

‘‘(B) any oration, speech, use of sound amplification 

equipment or device, or similar conduct that is not part 

of a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; 

‘‘(C) the display of any placard, banner, flag, or similar 

device, unless such a display is part of a funeral, memorial 

service, or ceremony; and 

‘‘(D) the distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, 

or other written or printed matter other than a program 

distributed as part of a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; and 

‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 

a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 

such term is defined in section 115 of title 18.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of chapter 24 is amended by striking the item relating 

to section 2413 and inserting the following new item: 

‘‘2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at cemeteries under 

control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery.’’. 

SEC. 602. CODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF 

GRAVESITES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 24 is amended by inserting after 

section 2410 the following new section: 
H. R. 1627—36 

‘‘§ 2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative 

matters 

‘‘(a) ONE GRAVESITE.—(1) Not more than one gravesite may 

be provided at Arlington National Cemetery to a veteran or member 

of the Armed Forces who is eligible for interment or inurnment 

at such cemetery. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition 

in paragraph (1) as the Secretary of the Army considers appropriate. 

‘‘(b) PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF GRAVESITES.—(1) 

A gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery may not be reserved 

for an individual before the death of such individual. 

‘‘(2)(A) The President may waive the prohibition in paragraph 

(1) as the President considers appropriate. 

‘‘(B) Upon waiving the prohibition in paragraph (1), the President shall submit notice of such waiver to— 

‘‘(i) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 

on Armed Services of the Senate; and 

‘‘(ii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 

on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 

to section 2410 the following new item: 

‘‘2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters.’’. 

(c) APPLICABILITY.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), section 2410A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to all interments at 

Arlington National Cemetery after the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

(2) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) of such section, as so added, 

shall not apply with respect to the interment of an individual 

for whom a request for a reserved gravesite was approved 

by the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962. 

(d) REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 

submit to Congress a report on reservations made for interment 

at Arlington National Cemetery. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 

include the following: 

(A) The number of requests for reservation of a 

gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery that were submitted to the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 

1962. 

(B) The number of gravesites at such cemetery that, 

on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, 

were reserved in response to such requests. 

(C) The number of such gravesites that, on the day 

before the date of the enactment of this Act, were unoccupied. 

(D) A list of all reservations for gravesites at such 

cemetery that were extended by individuals responsible 

for management of such cemetery in response to requests 

for such reservations made on or after January 1, 1962. 

(E) A description of the measures that the Secretary 

is taking to improve the accountability and transparency 
H. R. 1627—37 

of the management of gravesite reservations at Arlington 

National Cemetery. 

(F) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 

for legislative action as the Secretary considers necessary 

to improve such accountability and transparency. 

SEC. 603. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL 

CERTIFICATES TO PERSONS WHO DIED IN THE ACTIVE 

MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE. 

Section 112(a) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘and persons who died in the active military, naval, or air service,’’ after ‘‘under honorable conditions,’’; 

and 

(2) by striking ‘‘veteran’s’’ and inserting ‘‘deceased individual’s’’. 

SEC. 604. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MONUMENTS IN 

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 

Section 2409(b) is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘Under’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Under’’; 

(2) by inserting after ‘‘Secretary of the Army’’ the following: 

‘‘and subject to paragraph (2)’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 

‘‘(2)(A) Except for a monument containing or marking interred 

remains, no monument (or similar structure, as determined by 

the Secretary of the Army in regulations) may be placed in Arlington 

National Cemetery except pursuant to the provisions of this subsection. 

‘‘(B) A monument may be placed in Arlington National Cemetery if the monument commemorates— 

‘‘(i) the service in the Armed Forces of the individual, 

or group of individuals, whose memory is to be honored by 

the monument; or 

‘‘(ii) a particular military event. 

‘‘(C) No monument may be placed in Arlington National Cemetery until the end of the 25-year period beginning— 

‘‘(i) in the case of the commemoration of service under 

subparagraph (B)(i), on the last day of the period of service 

so commemorated; and 

‘‘(ii) in the case of the commemoration of a particular 

military event under subparagraph (B)(ii), on the last day of 

the period of the event. 

‘‘(D) A monument may be placed only in those sections of 

Arlington National Cemetery designated by the Secretary of the 

Army for such placement and only on land the Secretary determines 

is not suitable for burial. 

‘‘(E) A monument may only be placed in Arlington National 

Cemetery if an appropriate nongovernmental entity has agreed 

to act as a sponsoring organization to coordinate the placement 

of the monument and— 

‘‘(i) the construction and placement of the monument are 

paid for only using funds from private sources; 

‘‘(ii) the Secretary of the Army consults with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Advisory Committee on Arlington 

National Cemetery before approving the design of the monument; and 

‘‘(iii) the sponsoring organization provides for an independent study on the availability and suitability of alternative 
H. R. 1627—38 

locations for the proposed monument outside of Arlington 

National Cemetery. 

‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary of the Army may waive the requirement 

under paragraph (2)(C) in a case in which the monument would 

commemorate a group of individuals who the Secretary determines— 

‘‘(i) has made valuable contributions to the Armed Forces 

that have been ongoing and perpetual for longer than 25 years 

and are expected to continue on indefinitely; and 

‘‘(ii) has provided service that is of such a character that 

the failure to place a monument to the group in Arlington 

National Cemetery would present a manifest injustice. 

‘‘(B) If the Secretary waives such requirement under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— 

‘‘(i) make available on an Internet website notification of 

the waiver and the rationale for the waiver; and 

‘‘(ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 

the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives written notice of the waiver 

and the rationale for the waiver. 

‘‘(4) The Secretary of the Army shall provide notice to the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 

the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 

of any monument proposed to be placed in Arlington National 

Cemetery. During the 60-day period beginning on the date on 

which such notice is received, Congress may pass a joint resolution 

of disapproval of the placement of the monument. The proposed 

monument may not be placed in Arlington National Cemetery until 

the later of— 

‘‘(A) if Congress does not pass a joint resolution of disapproval of the placement of the monument, the date that 

is 60 days after the date on which notice is received under 

this paragraph; or 

‘‘(B) if Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval 

of the placement of the monument, and the President signs 

a veto of such resolution, the earlier of— 

‘‘(i) the date on which either House of Congress votes 

and fails to override the veto of the President; or 

‘‘(ii) the date that is 30 session days after the date 

on which Congress received the veto and objections of the 

President.’’. 

TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 

SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS. 

(a) ADDITIONAL GRANTS FOR DISABLED VETERANS FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 21 is amended by adding at 

the end the following new section: 
H. R. 1627—39 

‘‘§ 2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by 

natural disasters 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 

2102 and 2102A of this title, the Secretary may provide assistance 

to a veteran whose home was previously adapted with assistance 

of a grant under this chapter in the event the adapted home 

which was being used and occupied by the veteran was destroyed 

or substantially damaged in a natural or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary. 

‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsection (c), assistance provided under subsection (a) shall— 

‘‘(1) be available to acquire a suitable housing unit with 

special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the 

veteran’s disability, and necessary land therefor; 

‘‘(2) be available to a veteran to the same extent as if 

the veteran had not previously received assistance under this 

chapter; and 

‘‘(3) not be deducted from the maximum uses or from the 

maximum amount of assistance available under this chapter. 

‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.—The amount of the assistance provided under 

subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of— 

‘‘(1) the reasonable cost, as determined by the Secretary, 

of repairing or replacing the damaged or destroyed home in 

excess of the available insurance coverage on such home; or 

‘‘(2) the maximum amount of assistance to which the veteran would have been entitled under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), 

and 2102A of this title had the veteran not obtained previous 

assistance under this chapter.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 

beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 2108 the following new item: 

‘‘2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural disasters.’’. 

(b) EXTENSION OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE FOR VETERANS

COMPLETING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM.—Section 

3108(a)(2) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘In’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 

‘‘(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 

veteran described in subparagraph (A) has been displaced as the 

result of a natural or other disaster while being paid a subsistence 

allowance under that subparagraph, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may extend the payment of a subsistence 

allowance under such subparagraph for up to an additional two 

months while the veteran is satisfactorily following a program of 

employment services described in such subparagraph.’’. 

(c) WAIVER OF LIMITATION ON PROGRAM OF INDEPENDENT

LIVING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE.—Section 3120(e) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘Programs’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) shall not apply in any 

case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran described 

in subsection (b) has been displaced as the result of, or has otherwise been adversely affected in the areas covered by, a natural 

or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
H. R. 1627—40 

(d) COVENANTS AND LIENS CREATED BY PUBLIC ENTITIES IN

RESPONSE TO DISASTER-RELIEF ASSISTANCE.—Paragraph (3) of section 3703(d) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for repairs, 

alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a first lien on 

the realty. In determining whether a loan is so secured, the Secretary may either disregard or allow for subordination to a superior 

lien created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty 

in favor of either of the following: 

‘‘(i) A public entity that has provided or will provide assistance in response to a major disaster as determined by the 

President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 

Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 

‘‘(ii) A private entity to secure an obligation to such entity 

for the homeowner’s share of the costs of the management, 

operation, or maintenance of property, services, or programs 

within and for the benefit of the development or community 

in which the veteran’s realty is located, if the Secretary determines that the interests of the veteran borrower and of the 

Government will not be prejudiced by the operation of such 

covenant. 

‘‘(B) With respect to any superior lien described in subparagraph (A) created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary’s determination 

under clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall have been made prior 

to the recordation of the covenant.’’. 

(e) AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER CONVEYANCES FOR CERTAIN DIS- ABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.—Section 

3903(a) is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘No’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided 

in paragraph (2), no’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(2) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an eligible 

person with a second automobile or other conveyance under this 

chapter if— 

‘‘(A) the Secretary receives satisfactory evidence that the 

automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with 

assistance under this chapter was destroyed— 

‘‘(i) as a result of a natural or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary; and 

‘‘(ii) through no fault of the eligible person; and 

‘‘(B) the eligible person does not otherwise receive from 

a property insurer compensation for the loss.’’. 

(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Each year, the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance 

provided or action taken by the Secretary in the last fiscal 

year pursuant to the authorities added by the amendments 

made by this section. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 

(1) shall include the following for the fiscal year covered by 

the report: 

(A) A description of each natural disaster for which 

assistance was provided or action was taken as described 

in paragraph (1). 

(B) The number of cases or individuals, as the case 

may be, in which or to whom the Secretary provided assistance or took action as described in paragraph (1). 
H. R. 1627—41 

(C) For each such case or individual, a description 

of the type or amount of assistance or action taken, as 

the case may be. 

(g) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 

shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of 

the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW. 

(a) POOL OF MORTGAGE LOANS.—Section 3720(h)(2) is amended 

by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 

(b) LOAN FEES.—Section 3729(b)(2) is amended— 

(1) in subparagraph (A)— 

(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 

(B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 

(2) in subparagraph (B)— 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 

(3) in subparagraph (C)— 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 

(4) in subparagraph (D)— 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 

inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’. 

(c) TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF MAXIMUM HOME LOAN GUAR- ANTY AMOUNT.—Section 501 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement 

Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–389; 122 Stat. 4175; 38 U.S.C. 3703 

note) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting 

‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 

SEC. 703. REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN FOR REGULAR ASSESSMENT OF 

EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 

WHO HANDLE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION AND PENSION. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 

on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan that 

describes how the Secretary will— 

(1) regularly assess the skills and competencies of appropriate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits 

Administration who are responsible for processing claims for 

compensation and pension benefits administered by the Secretary; 

(2) provide training to those employees whose skills and 

competencies are assessed as unsatisfactory by the regular 

assessment described in paragraph (1), to remediate deficiencies 

in such skills and competencies; 

(3) reassess the skills and competencies of employees who 

receive training as described in paragraph (2); and 
H. R. 1627—42 

(4) take appropriate personnel action if, following training 

and reassessment as described in paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively, skills and competencies remain unsatisfactory. 

SEC. 704. MODIFICATION OF PROVISION RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. 

Section 111(b)(3)(C) is amended by striking ‘‘under subparagraph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘to or from a Department facility’’. 

SEC. 705. CHANGE IN COLLECTION AND VERIFICATION OF VETERAN 

INCOME. 

Section 1722(f)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘the previous year’’ 

and inserting ‘‘the most recent year for which information is available’’. 

SEC. 706. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS CONCERN AS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY VETERANS OR AS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED 

VETERANS. 

Subsection (g) of section 8127 is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘Any business’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Any business’’; 

(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated— 

(A) by inserting ‘‘willfully and intentionally’’ before 

‘‘misrepresented’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘a period of not 

less than five years’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 

‘‘(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall commence debarment action against the business concern by not later than 30 days after determining that the concern 

willfully and intentionally misrepresented the status of the concern 

as described in paragraph (1) and shall complete debarment actions 

against such concern by not later than 90 days after such determination. 

‘‘(3) The debarment of a business concern under paragraph 

(1) includes the debarment of all principals in the business concern 

for a period of not less than five years.’’. 

SEC. 707. QUARTERLY REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON CONFERENCES 

SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 5 is amended by 

adding at the end the following new section: 

‘‘§ 517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department 

‘‘(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days 

after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit 

to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 

on covered conferences. 

‘‘(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—Each report under subsection (a) 

shall include the following: 

‘‘(1) An accounting of the final costs to the Department 

of each covered conference occurring during the fiscal quarter 
H. R. 1627—43 

preceding the date on which the report is submitted, including 

the costs related to— 

‘‘(A) transportation and parking; 

‘‘(B) per diem payments; 

‘‘(C) lodging; 

‘‘(D) rental of halls, auditoriums, or other spaces; 

‘‘(E) rental of equipment; 

‘‘(F) refreshments; 

‘‘(G) entertainment; 

‘‘(H) contractors; and 

‘‘(I) brochures or other printed media. 

‘‘(2) The total estimated costs to the Department for covered 

conferences occurring during the fiscal quarter in which the 

report is submitted. 

‘‘(c) COVERED CONFERENCE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 

‘covered conference’ means a conference, meeting, or other similar 

forum that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the Department and 

is— 

‘‘(1) attended by 50 or more individuals, including one 

or more employees of the Department; or 

‘‘(2) estimated to cost the Department at least $20,000.’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating 

to section 516 the following: 

‘‘517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department.’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 517 of title 38, United States 

Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 

1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to the first quarter of fiscal 

year 2013 and each quarter thereafter. 

SEC. 708. PUBLICATION OF DATA ON EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN VETERANS BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS. 

Section 4212(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 

new paragraph: 

‘‘(3) The Secretary of Labor shall establish and maintain an 

Internet website on which the Secretary of Labor shall publicly 

disclose the information reported to the Secretary of Labor by 

contractors under paragraph (1).’’. 

SEC. 709. VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 532 is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting ‘‘ (a) 

ADVERTISING IN NATIONAL MEDIA.—The Secretary may’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(b) VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM.—(1) The Secretary shall establish an award program, to be known as the ‘VetStar Award Program’, to recognize annually businesses for their contributions to 

veterans’ employment. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for the administration of the award program, including criteria for— 

‘‘(A) categories and sectors of businesses eligible for recognition each year; and 

‘‘(B) objective measures to be used in selecting businesses 

to receive the award.’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
H. R. 1627—44 

(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such section is 

amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘; VetStar Award 

Program’’. 

(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item relating 

to section 532 and inserting the following new item: 

‘‘532. Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program.’’. 

SEC. 710. EXTENDED PERIOD OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF 

UNIFORMED SERVICES RELATING TO MORTGAGES, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE, AND EVICTION. 

(a) STAY OF PROCEEDINGS AND PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT OF

OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY.—Section 

303(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 

533(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting 

‘‘within one year’’. 

(b) PERIOD OF RELIEF FROM SALE, FORECLOSURE, OR SEIZURE.— 

Section 303(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(c)) is amended 

by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting ‘‘within one year’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections 

(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after 

the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(d) EXTENSION OF SUNSET.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 

(a) and (b) shall expire on December 31, 2014. 

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (c) of section 

2203 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public 

Law 110–289; 50 U.S.C. App. 533 note) is amended to read 

as follows: 

‘‘(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 

(a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.’’. 

(3) REVIVAL.—Effective January 1, 2015, the provisions 

of subsections (b) and (c) of section 303 of the Servicemembers 

Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533), as in effect on July 

29, 2008, are hereby revived. 

(e) REPORT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 

United States shall submit to Congress a report on the protections provided under section 303 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App 

533) during the five-year period ending on the date of the 

enactment of this Act. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 

include, for the period described in such paragraph, the following: 

(A) An assessment of the effects of such section on 

the long-term financial well-being of servicemembers and 

their families. 

(B) The number of servicemembers who faced foreclosure during a 90-day period, 270-day period, or 365- 

day period beginning on the date on which the 

servicemembers completed a period of military service. 

(C) The number of servicemembers who applied for 

a stay or adjustment under subsection (b) of such section. 

(D) A description and assessment of the effect of 

applying for a stay or adjustment under such subsection 
H. R. 1627—45 

on the financial well-being of the servicemembers who 

applied for such a stay or adjustment. 

(E) An assessment of the Secretary of Defense’s partnerships with public and private sector entities and recommendations on how the Secretary should modify such 

partnerships to improve financial education and counseling 

for servicemembers in order to assist them in achieving 

long-term financial stability. 

(3) PERIOD OF MILITARY SERVICE AND SERVICEMEMBER

DEFINED.—In this subsection, the terms ‘‘period of military 

service’’ and ‘‘servicemember’’ have the meanings given such 

terms in section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511). 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.